Crabgrass is a sign of turfgrass getting too little fertilizer or the soil is so acidic that fertilizer is not readily available to the turfgrass roots. (Soil test can reveal acidity through pH test)

Crabgrass can produce over 150,000 seeds in one season. Crabgrass persists throughout spring, summer and autumn.

Once soil temperatures reach 50 degrees for three nights in a row, crabgrass can start germinating. We are not that far away in this part of the country. (Nebraska) Warmer than normal temperatures could mean a sooner start to crabgrass germination.

Pre-emergent herbicides can temporarily stop growth of crabgrass. If you can stop crabgrass seeds from sprouting, you have won the battle.

Ensure a thick lawn to combat crabgrass. Make sure you raise the blade and don’t mow the grass too short.

Some good points were made in this article. Typically, I apply pre-emergent at the end of April, but I may be forced to apply it sooner if temperatures remain higher this spring. Also, keep an eye on the soil temperatures in your part of the country. This is a key indicator as the article indicates. Lastly, consider getting a soil test to not only manage crabgrass, but to also help determine what other nutrients your lawn may be lacking or may have an overabundance of.